Wonder of a Child (AU plotline)

((Seph is bored and has an urge to play with young Sephiroth, so here we go, 13 year old second class soldier Sephiroth, and as this is AU and I don't want to exclude anyone, feel free to drop any character in at any age, have fun with it))

The young teen sat up in silence, the green eyes locked forward for a moment. It was quiet, sterile, only the sounds of machines in the background. He never had dreams, never seemed to, but something had woken him.

What had woken him? It made no sense. A frown creased his features for a moment and then slowly disappeared as he shut his eyes.

Sephiroth reached out for the clothing on the table beside him and removed the devices from his skin that tracked his most recent sleep cycle. With the items detached he pulled on his clothing in silence and a sigh escaped.

The last of his clothing was placed on, followed by his gloves and finally the combat boots.

It was still dark but it didn’t matter, his eyes able to make out the shadows. He was always different than everyone else, the scientists watching him closely, but Sephiroth never questioned that.

The brush was reached for next as he began to brush his long hair, the silver strands just spilling over his shoulders. He took a deep breath and untangled the rest of it before beginning the task of pulling it up into a high ponytail, the ends dragging against the small of his back.

It was time to get up. Sitting around would be a waste of time, and waste was not something he would allow himself. He reached down and grabbed the sword before placing it on his back.

With that finished he moved quietly out and glanced at the scientist watching a screen. Sneaking behind his back Sephiroth escaped silently and hurried towards the training room.

[thought I'd use Rufus somewhere else, I'm making that he's like 9-10ish ;p]

Rufus was walking Dark Nation as he had named the pet he had selected from a group of pups that Hojo had bred. There wasn't much he could do round here, he was apparently to young to understand paperwork. Which he was grateful for because sometimes he couldn't see his father's face cause of all of it, and that was the best part.

So walking Dark Nation daily was all he had to do. Of course the million and one black suited Turks that followed were even more of a pain, he understood his father was not popular. But twenty of them was a bit much and a bit crowded.Crouching down by Dark Nation's side he patted her on the neck sneakily undoing the leash."Sic!" He pointed.The pup then ran at them and Rufus took that moment to run away from the guards. He would get it later but for now he just needed peace of mind and somewhere quiet where he could have time to himself.

He saw the training room and bolted inside ducking behind the door and hiding as the guards only ran past within fifty seconds after.He stayed completely still his fists clenched at his sides.

A frown creased Sephiroth's young features as he saw the group of Turks rush past him followed by a pup and blinked for a moment. It was an unusual scene, one he may have to inquire about later but they certainly paid no notice to him. There wasn't really any reason for them to, besides he had every right to be there. Head lowered slightly Sephiroth turned away from the scene and stepped into the training room.

He was expecting quiet, a dark empty room. No one got up that early to use it.

However what he saw wasn't what he expected. Green eyes blinked as he stared for a moment at the younger boy. Sephiroth had never seen anyone that young before, and even seeing other kids his own age was weird. Professor Hojo always said it was because he was special and Sephiroth had no choice but to believe it.

Silence remained for a minute before natural curiosity won out. "Why are you here?"

It was the first thing he could think to ask because he obviously wasn't a SOLDIER.

Rufus hadn't expected anyone to enter the training room. He was told it was an adult zone.He blinked looking at the older boy. No one had dared ask him that before. Everyone knew who he was. Well he had thought everyone knew. This boy wasn't informed of his status.Rufus looked at the boy.

"There were too many people." It was his chosen reply. He hadn't really had much interaction with other kids, so this made him more than curious. To have someone not an adult yet no a child to talk to. It was new.

Sephiroth's gaze remained locked on the boy for a long moment. This was an area for SOLDIERs and common sense told him that this boy certainly wasn't one of them. He knew the other seconds, knew them by their looks, whispering about how a mere child could be better than them. Jealousy of others was something he was accustomed to, something that he cared nothing for. He had a task, and his duty was to ShinRa.

Normally he would have left, found something else to do, however this was no normal situation. Slowly he bowed his head. "I am Sephiroth," manners, they were important, that was what Dr. Gast always told him. But Dr. Gast was gone, the kindly man had disappeared from his life and now he only knew the other scientists and Hojo...

Instinctively Sephiroth suppressed a shudder at the thought of the man that seemed to constantly be there. He could not look weak, like he has emotions. It was one thing the scientists had made clear.

Rufus looked at the older boy as he said his name. He had heard of Sephiroth. But Rufus had been under the impression he was supposed to be older. A boy like him, only a small handful of years older.Rufus nodded.

At least he now knew it was common for the company to isolate children. Harden them up for the world.It would not hurt to tell Sephiroth his name."I am Rufus.... Rufus Shinra."

Sephiroth blinked for a moment, a bit shocked by the name. He had seen President Shinra before, during parades and when he was allowed into the lab. He remembered the scientists had spoken gleefully to him however as he was distracted by the tests he did not pay attention to what they said. They were not Professor Hojo or Professor Gast.

Sometimes it had been during his physical tests, other times during mental ones, and then the once during one of his mako treatments. It was years ago and he remembered the hushed whispers.

"It is a pleasure to meet you," Sephiroth said as he gave a brief bow of his head. He had come there to train but he couldn't do that with Rufus there. It would be too dangerous. "Do they make you do work too?"

He glanced over towards Rufus for a moment. He was younger than him, maybe even as young as he had been while he was a cadet, training to be SOLDIER. He was always better than all the others in his classes, held apart from the others. They were so much older than him and the scientists always said they were jealous because he was special.

Rufus nodded at Sephiroth. "You too. I did not expect you to be close to my age." He thought about Sephiroth's question.Work... he did work... in a manner of speaking."My father makes me work, when the other adults are not watching." Rufus replied. "But I think what I call work you would not and like wise."Rufus knew they were both trapped within this company. Forced to loose their rights to hang out with other children.

Work for him was following his father round, watching him paint the footpaths red with blood. Watching the bodies pile up, bodies of those who had failed the company. Rufus was told that they were not worth the air they wasted. That it was okay to give them that release sending them to the lifestream where they would be of more use to the planet.

"But I have been taught how to use a sword and a gun. For situations where my guards fail to do their job." Rufus stated. He assume that was what Sephiroth meant by work. Training to become an Elite member of SOLDIER.

Genesis hated Dr. Hollander, he didn't quite understand why but the doctor always kept a close eye on him and was constantly insulting. He loved Angeal, but Genesis was treated like he was the devil's child.

"I'm leaving. I'm a third-class SOLDIER, I have no right to be treated like this." His blue eyes flashed angrily as he left the room. The best thing he had to do would be to go hunt down Sephiroth. He wandered into the training room and blinked when he saw his friend in there with a younger boy. "Hey Seph," he said, waving at his friend.

"If they are failures they should be disposed of," Sephiroth said as he looked back at Rufus. "That's what Professor Hojo always said," the green eyes flickered away for a brief moment. Slowly he reached back and released his sword, it was one typical of the second classes, something they could afford. Sephiroth could only wish he could get something better.

The door slid open and Sephiroth blinked for a moment before a shy, timid smile managed to light his features up. "Gen! Is Angeal still sleeping?"

"My friend, the fates are cruel there are no dreams, no honor remains." Genesis recited his favorite poem with a smile and nodded, "Yes, I swear that lazy ass can sleep through anything," he said with a roll of his eyes. "So Seph, what's going on here?"

Rufus looked from one to the other again. 'Failures' Rufus wondered if that was why he wasn't allowed 'friends' because they were failures?Sephiroth had friends. That was unusual. The silver haired boy was more privileged than Rufus had been allowed in his entire time living."I was merely hiding from my guards. For a moment of peace. I will leave now."he nodded his head at Sephiroth. "It was an interesting meeting. I hope to see you again."

"I was talking with Rufus," Sephiroth explained to Genesis. He didn't bother to tell him who Rufus was, after all he was certain that if Genesis wanted to know he would phrase that in the question. Certainly it would just be common sense.

As Rufus excused himself Sephiroth blinked for a moment, suddenly confused. Logically would it be safer to stay with them, two SOLDIERs? It made no sense and Sephiroth looked at him curiously. "Wouldn't your guards find you if you left?" He asked Rufus and a frown creased his features as he tired to understand how leaving could help the boy hide.

"Ah, hello Rufus," Genesis initiated a greeting to the young boy. He didn't know much about the boy aside from his name being Rufus, of course being Genesis he didn't care much about the other beings of ShinRa. It was all part of his own way in doing things.

A frown creased his angelic features as he looked towards Genesis. "I really don't think he can spar with us Gen," Sephiroth said as he glanced back towards Rufus. Yes, they did other things, talked mostlly, but usually sparred and practiced against a virtual opponents to work on teamwork, and when that bored them they practiced their aim (though would never tell those in charge that it was by throwing their swords at dumbapples on each other's heads).

Fun was a foreign idea until he met Angeal and Genesis, and even then he was still trying to learn and understand this concept. There were never any games with Hojo, just lessons on science and battle tactics with old military officers, and when he wasn't being trained in those there were other lessons on an assortment of things, mostly battle. Time between that was spent on missions or training, either with Angeal and Genesis or allone, and if he was not busy with those things Genesis and Angeal tried to introduce him to pointless games and their defenition of 'fun'.

Did Rufus have anybody that enforced this 'fun' on him or was it just as foreign to him?

Rufus shrugged. "To pass time I read." He looked to Genesis and Sephiroth. "I've never interacted with anyone close to my age. My father doesn't allow it." He let out a breath. "He believe that because I am young that I can be influenced easily."Rufus thought about it. "He does not trust many with my care. I spent most of it being schooled." Rufus thought on his trainers then nodded there was a past time he did enjoy."I do enjoy fencing and shooting though."Rufus knew he was denied alot, but that was all in preparation for him to take over this company one day.Maybe then he'd understand this concept of fun.

Genesis glanced over at Rufus, he smiled remembering his own life growing up in Banora. Much like Rufus, he also used to pass all of his time by reading, that would be until Angeal came in there and dragged him out of the house. Genesis snorted, "Asshole, how else does he expect you to grow?" Genesis was aware that he wasn't being all to fair but he didn't like the way the President of ShinRa treated his son. Genesis heaved a large sigh, "Fathers, I tell you. All they do is fuck shit up."

Sephiroth fell listless for a moment as he glanced away. Fathers... Mothers... he had neither, no hometown, no place to call his own. Once again no matter how much others complained still they could say they had more than him. All he had was a name... Jenova. That was his mother's name, but what had happened to her? Professor Hojo never told him.

He wanted to train, wanted to get away from this conversation of fathers. He did not mourn his lack of a father or mother, or even a home outside of ShinRa. It was impossible to mourn something he had never known, but he did feel an outsider. He remember the conversations, Angeal languishing the praise of his mother, Genesis speaking of his own parents, but he had nothing. No father or mother to care for him no matter what, no one to depend on.

He had never felt he was lacking in anything until the day at an urging he had spent the leave he never bothered with before with Genesis and Angeal in their hometown in Banora. Everyone had seemed pleasant but Angeal's mother had smiled at him and shown him kindness he had never understood. He had never felt that love before but now he had and could mourn that it was only pleasantness to a friend of her son.

Family was something Sephiroth would never know.

"I do not believe I would be able to add anything of any value to this conversation. My time is better spent elsewhere where I can be of use," he said as he stepped away.

He wasn't hurt, no, he had never been raised to feel jealousy or contempt over a conversation he could not add anything to. It just wasn't his place when there was value elsewhere in other actions.

Rufus could only nod to Genesis's father comment."One day this company will be mine and he'll be out of the picture."

He was aware of Sephiroth stepping back and remembering the SOLDIER's file. There were no parents listed and he felt guilt for a moment."Sephiroth. I assure you. What you have with Genesis and Angeal..." Rufus began."It's like what a real family is like, a family on the outside."

It was an attempt at comfort something he wasn't really good at though.

"It is not something that bothers me," he said as he glanced back towards Rufus. "Something never known cannot be missed," he said as he brought out his sword, the sword glinted in the light. "Would you like to join us?" He asked Rufus as he studied the boy for a moment.

He had needed to learn to train against the lower classes, as harming others was something that could not be allowed. He had quickly needed to learn to fight only as hard as need be.

The young SOLDIER lifted up his head and turned to Rufus in sudden curiosity. He gave the briefest of nods as his gaze lingered on the president's son. He knew they would have to be careful but he was certain it would be alright. "No, I do not mind," Sephiroth said as he took a step back and took the sword from his back.

It was just like any other, equipment mass produced for the lower ranks, but someday he desired a sword that would stand up to his strength. "Alright, I'm prepared. Let us begin, under the assumption that Genesis does not mind your participation."

Genesis gave a slight nod of his head his fingertips running along the smooth handle of his Rapier. A three way battle, was it? He wondered what it was that the President's youngest son could actually be able to do in a practice battle, and what sort of techniques in battle President Shinra had taught his younger son. "I'm fine with that," Genesis said as he grabbed a hold of the dark hilt of his Rapier and drew it from his back.

Unlike both Sephiroth and Angeal, Genesis had his own sword from a very young age, even though it was not anything exceedingly special Genesis still loved his Rapier and was proud to have a weapon of his own. "Let's begin."